Outline

Objective: Photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) are used for patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). There have been many studies on glioma stem (GS) cells, but PDD and PDT for GS cells have not been reported. Therefore, the goal of the study was to investigate the effects of PDD and PDT on GS cells in vitro.

Methods: Three cell lines were used from a primary culture of GBM with a GS cell culture. Four hours after supplementation with 5-ALA, the appearance of PpIX was determined by flow cytometry as a measure of PDD. Similarly treated cells were irradiated at 20 J/cm2 using an argon-pumped dye laser to mimic PDT.

Results: PpIX was detected in >70% of GS cells and the death rate of GS cells was >89% after PDT.

Conclusions: PDD and PDT with 5-ALA were very effective in GS cells. These photosynthetic techniques might be useful in therapy involving GS cells.